Boiler-pressure regulator



' 1,604,094- A. E.. CAMERON BOILER PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Jan. 14, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3mm i/zarmer- 1f (bmemrg Oct. 19 1926.

A. E. CAMERON BOILER PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Jan. 14, 1922 2 Shets-Shee. 2

Patented Get. 19, 1926.

UNETED STATES ALEXANDER E. CAMERON, 0F "PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO NARRAGA'N- PATENT OFFICE.

SETT ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A COR- PORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

BOILER-PBESSURE REGULATOR.

Application filed January 14, 1922. Serial No. 529,328.

This invention relates to a system of boilor pressure regulation and has for one of its objects the provision of means for maintaining a 'practically constant steam pressure in the boilers through control of the several factors governing combustion with in the furnace.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a steam generating installation, of a system of boiler pressure regulation, including a draft regulator responsive to pressure conditions in the draft duct leading to the furnace, in combination with a steam pressure controlled regulator having means associated therewith for regulating a duct damper and the fuel supply to the furnace.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device operated by hydraulic pressure and responsive to draft pressure in the draft duct, said device functioning to actuate means by which the speed of the blower, in a forced draft steam generating system, or a damper in the draft duct of a constant draft system, is controlled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a hydraulic pressure distributing valve actuated by a steam pressure responsive regulator, which valve admits hydraulic pressure to a governing device associated with the furnace and by which the duct damper and fuel supply to the heating means are controlled.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in theimproved draft pressure, steam pressure, damper and fuel oil controlling apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification, and particularly claimed and in such variations and modifications thereof as will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates. V

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification and wherein the prefer ed embodiment of my invention is illustrated Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a steam generating installation which my steam pressure regulating system is incorporated.

The other views show details of the several novel units which are combined in my invention, in which Figure 2 is a view partly in cross section of the pressure bell.

Figure 3 is a view, partly in section, showing the master pilot valve and one of the governing devices with indicated connections between the two, said pilot valve and governing device being drawn to different scales;

Figure 4: is a diagrammatic view of a steam blower which is used as an alterna' tive construction to the motor blower shown in Figure l, and Figure 5 is a view in cross section showing details of the Masons regulator.

Referring now in particular to the system which is embodied in the layout shown in Figure 1, the furnace A is provided with boilers B and with heating means which in this case is represented by the oil burners C.

The burner supply pipes D are each connected in two ways to the main fuel supply pipe E, by a reducing valve E" which is not controlled and supplies a quantity of fuel just sufficient to support low fire, and a diaphragm-controlled valve F which is capable of communicating to the burners the full capacity of the fuel supply-pipe, at a predetermined fixed pressure.

The furnace is supplied with air from a draft blower Gr located in the air duct H which leads into a main air duct I, the air being carried from the latter to the furnace through the duct J. A number of furnaces may be supplied with air from the main air duct I. The blower damper K controls the supply of air to the main air duct and the damper L controls the draft supply to the individual furnaces.

Incontrolling the steam pressure in a system such as has been here outlined in which a number of furnaces are fed by the same source of air pressure it is essential that the regulation shall include the maintenance of constant forced draft pressure in the main air duct as well as control of the draft and fuel conditions in the individual furnace. To this end two regulating devices are provided, the one shown at the right hand of Figure Land designated by the letter M being of the type known as the Ma sons regulator, which comprises a diaphragm, not shown in the drawing. beneath which steam from the boilers is admitted. in

I which is connected to a pivotally mounted lever Q. operating a plunger valve R. The hlasons regulator has in it a plunger S which is connected with a reciprocatory rod T by means of which any desired regulating mechanism may be actuated. A source of water pressure such as a city main U is in communication with the under side of the plunger S when the plunger valve R is in depressed position, and the under side of said plunger is in communication with a drain V at atmospheric pressure. when the plunger valve R is raised. The plunger rod '1 is connected to the master pilot valve i the detailed construction of which will be presently described and which distributes hydraulic pressure from a city main to the governing device X which regulates by means of the cable Y the individual duct damper J and the diaphragm fuel valve F. If desired the Masons regulator may also control a stack damper Z by neans of the cable a. The Masons regulator per se.

forms no part of my invention, and is of Well known construction.

The hydraulic regulator 7), shown at the lower left hand side of Figure 1. is similar to the Masons regulator except that the steam actuated diaphragm and weighted arm P are done away with and in their stead the pivotally mounted lever o is-provided, which functions similarly to the lever Q to operate a valve similar to the valve It said lever being actuated by a pressure bell cl and the latter being in communication with the forced draft supply duct H by means of a pipe 6 responsive to the air pressure with in said duct. From the top of the hydraulic regulator 72 extends the reciprocating rod ;which is connected with the damper K.

7 In this case the fan G is driven by an electric motor but, if desired, the alternative form of construction shown in Figure 4 may be used which comprises a steam turbine fan. the steam supply valve g of which will be connected to the top of the hydraulic i regulator and the damper. K being; dispensed with. 4

Referring in detail to the construction of the pressure bell (Z. this apparatus as shown in Fig. 2, preferably consists of a metal bell 1, suspended by a metal banner 2, the latter being fastened to the bell by -means of the machine screws 3. The hanger may be provided with a metal top 4 held in place by two machine screws 5 into which is seated a V-blocl: 6.

A suitable lever 7, running through a sleet e8 and held in place by a set screw 9, is provided with a fork 1O fastened at one end by means of the rivet 11. Into the fork 1O is set a knife edge 12 upon which the V- block 6 is supported. The other end of the lever 7 is provided with a sliding weight 13 the position of which may be fixed at any point alongfihe lever 7 between the sleeve and the free end thereof by means of a thumb screw 14. The weight 18 serves to counter-balance the bell 1.

The lever 7 is shown as being supported by means of a V-block 15 set into the sleeve 8 and resting; on-a knife edge 16 supported by a standard 17.

The hell 1 is suspended over a base 18 to which the standard 17 is fastened by means of a machine screw 19. n

In the embodiment shown in the drawinns. the base 18 is provided with two annular channels 20 and 21 formed by four walls 21;. 23. 2 1- ano 25 rising perpendicularly from the base 18. These channels 20 and 21 are filled to a suitable depth with mercury into which the ring shaped flanges 26 and 2. of he bell 1 are allowed to dip, the level of themcrcury being kept the same in both channels by means of an equalizing tube 28. V

An air pipev e is screwed into the base 18 and communicates at one end with the chamber 30 which is enclosed between the bell 1 and ti e base 18. Since the chamber 30 is sealed. from the atmosphere by the mercury, any increase in pressure within the chamber 30 will cause the bell 1 to rise. the adjustable weight 13 assisting in this operation. Likewise, a decrease in pressure in the (1121111 ber 30 below that of the atmosphere will cause the bell. 1 to fall.

The V-bloclrsti and 15 rest upon the knife edges 12 and 16 rather than vice versa in order to prevent the accumulation of dirt or forei matter in the V-block slots which might interfere with the practically frictionless operation of the apparatus. For the same reason the bell may be provided with a dust propf sheet metal casing 31. A stem 32 passes through the center of the bell and is secured in any suitable manner to the hanger 2, as by the check nut 33. This stem is used to transmit the rising and falling motion of the bell 1 to the leverc which is pivotally secured to the hydraulic regulat in}; device 7). Passing down through a hole in the base 18 the stem 32 is pivotally connected to said lever o by means of a fork or link 35. This lev r also is provided with an adjustable weight 36 so that the bell 1 may be.loaded to operate at any desired pressure. This also has the advantage of steadyingr the bcl l and causes all the pressure exerted to bear directly upon the knife edge 6. i

As shown in Figure 1 on the leftv hand side, the lever c is connected intermediate its fulcrum 37 and its point of connection with the stem of the plunger valve of the modified Masons regulator or hydraulic regulator b.

The pilot valve W is secured above the Masons regulator M, shown on right hand side of Figure 1, and operatively connected to the plunger rod T thereof, said valve being shown in detail in Fig. 3 and consisting of a cylinder ac to which are sweated or otherwise secured five metal rings 17, 48, 19, 50 and 51. The four of the rings first mentioned are cored out so that annular ports 52, 53, 5a and 55 are formed. These rings 17, 48, 49 and 50 are provided respectively with the pipes 56, 57, 58 and 59. The pipes 57 and 59 serve to conduct water to and from the governing device X and the other pipes 58 and 56 serve as supply and exhaust pipes respectively, the former being connected to the city water supply and the latter to a drain. The top ring 51 15 blank and serves to hold the head 60 in place thereby closing the end of the cylinder 4L6,the head being secured by suitable means such as by cap screws 61. The ring 47 is secured to the bottom of the cylinder 16 and although serving as an exhaust port for the water affords also a means for fastening the supporting plate or disk 62 to the cylinder l6.

The bottom head 63 is fastened to the disk 62 by means such as the cap screws 64 and 65, and is provided with a. stuffing box. It closes the bottom end of the cylinder l6 and prevents the leakage of exhaust water around the plunger rod T which passes through it and connects with the Masons regulator M. Water from the several ports 52, 53, 54 and 55 is admitted to the cylinder by a number of small holes 67 drilled into the cylinder wall offering a passage-way for the water from the ports to the interior of the cylinder. \Vithin the cylinder 46 is a balanced piston 68 one end 69 of which is removably secured in order that it may be re moved to renew the cup leather packings 7 O and 71 and to remove the washers 7 2 and 73 which hold the packing and 71 flat against the piston ends. The balanced piston 68 is of proper length to afford a free passage from supply port 54: to the port 55 when at the upper limit of its range of travel and also to connect the ports 54% and 53 at the lower limit of its range of travel.

The piston 68 is also hollow through the center as shown at 66, a free passage being thus allowed for the exhaust of water from the port 55 to the exhaust port 52. A free passage for exhaust between the ports 53 and 52 is also left when the piston 68 is at the top of its cylinder.

The plunger rod T is fastened to the piston 68 by means such as a pin 7 1 passing through the lower end of the piston 68 and said plunger rod. The wrist joint thus formed permits the piston 68 to center itself within the cylinder 16 and prevents it from binding.

Four rods, two of which are shown at 75 and 76 support the pilot valve over the Masons regulator. The supporting rods 75 and 76 are preferably reduced at each .end and threaded, the upper ends of these rods passing through holes in the disk 62 where they are made fast by nuts 77 and 78. A disc similar to the disc 62 may be fastened. to the top of the Masons regulator by cap screws and furnishes means for fastening the lower ends of the rods 7 5 and 76 to said regulator. Of course any means whatsoever may be substituted in place of the means shown for positioning the pilot valve in operative relation to the Masons-regulator.

The pipes 57 and 59 communicate respectively with ports and 86 at the top and bottom of the cylinder 87 which forms part of the governing device X. This cylinder is provided with suitable means, such as top and bottom brackets 88 and 89, by means of which the governing device may be secured to the wall or other suitable support.

To the bottom bracket 89 is secured a head 90 closing the bottom end of the cylinder 87 and held in place by suitable means such as cap screws. The top bracket 88 is also provided with a head 91 which serves to close the top of the cylinder 87 the head being held in place in the same manner as is the bottom head 90. The top head 91 is constructed with a stufiing box 93 through which passes a stem 94.

To the lower end of the stem 94 and within the cylinder 87 is attached a piston 95 provided with two cup leather packings 96 and 97 both of which are held against the piston 95 by means of two washers 98 and 99. The piston 95, concave packings 96 and 97 and washers 98 and 99 are held in place by a nut 100 and a shoulder 101 turned on the stem 94. The cup side of each packing faces out-- wardly from the piston in order to prevent leakage on either side thereof.

Passing through the heads 90 and 91 and extending upwardly are two guide rods 102 and 103 of suitable length. These rods are secured rigidly to the lower head and its associated parts in any suitable manner, be ing shown asclampably held to the lower bracket and head, between the nuts 10% and 105 and shoulders formed at the base of reduced portions of said rods.

\Vhere guide rods 102 and 103 pass through the top head 91, the head is slotted as shown at 106 so that it may be raised to give access to the upper end of the piston without dismantling any other part of the apparatus. Two slidingguides 107 and 108 are fastened to the stem 94: by means of taper pins 109 and 110 and slide along the guide rods 102 and 103 as the stem 94 moves up and down.

Two fixed guides 111 and 112 are fastened 'keeps the guide rods equally spaced.

to the guide rods 102 and 103 by means of taper pins 118 and 11-1, the stem 91 sliding through the guide 111 which acts as a stop, as will presently be shown. The guide 112 is semi-circular and is fastened to the upper ends of the guide rodslOZ and .103 and On account of its shape'the guide 112 does not interfere with the arrialposition of the upper end of the "stem 91 and the cable attached thereto. nll of these guides keep the guide rods 102 and 103 and the stem 91 in alignment and prevent the piston 95 from binding.

The stem 91 is threaded from its upper end where the guide 108 is fastened and is provided with two knurled adjustmen-tdiscs 116 and 11! so that travel of the piston 95 may be limited by engagement of said adjustment disks with the stop formed by the guide 111 as the stem 9 1 moves up, and

' down.v A suitable connection 118 is screwed on the upper end of the stem 94 above the guide 108 by means of which the cable Y may be attached, the latter-leading to the damper L shown in Figure 1. Another cable a, as hereinbefore pointed out may lead from the connection 118 to the'stack damper Z,

For the successful operation of the steam regulating system embodied in this invention it is essential that the draftsupplied to the main air duct I be constant in order that the opening of the branch duct damper, L or the stack damper Z, in case the latter is used, shall have the same effect at all times upon the draft conditions Within the fur nace. This constancy of draft pressure supplied to the main air duct 1 is accomplished by means of the bell (Z the movements of which are responsiveto changes of draft pressure in the conduit H which are communicated to the bell by means of the conduit 6. The bell actuates the modified Masons regulatoror hydraulic regulator b which controls the opening and closing of the damper K. )As hereinbefore statedpif a steam fan he used instead of the constant speed blower G the modified Masons regulator Z) will acti iatethe valve 9 shown in Figure 1,

which controls the speed of the steam driven fan, a damper between the fan and main duct being then unnecessary.

The movement of the dampers L or Z or both which govern the draft conditions in the individual furnaces-and also the actuation of the diaphragm valve F is accom- *p'hshed by hydrauhc pressure acting through iillG'Q'OVBlH'lllQ' device X and governed bvthe pilot valve V? which is servient to the Masons regulator 111. C1ty water underpressure of. say. pounds. enters the conduit U above the plunger of the valve R and enters beneath the lun 'ersof the Masonslre sure side of the plunger 95.

-The pipe 58 being connected to the city water main at the substantially constant pressure-of say 60 pounds, this pressure is communicated through the pipe 59 to the lower end of the plunger 95 of the governing device raising the latter until the disk 116 strikes the stop 111. This limits the upward stroke of the plunger 95 and consequently limits the degree of opening of the dampers L or Z which are attached to a cable or cables secured to-the fitting 118 at the top of the plunger stem 9 1. This upward position of the plunger of the governing device is the low fire position of the dampers L and Z and when in this position a pipe 92 which communicates with the upper part of the cylinder of the governing device and-is designed to convey hydraulic pressure to the diaphragm valve F is shut ofi from the pres- Therefore, the diaphragm valve is closed and fuel oil is supplied to t l e burners through the pressure reducing valve E at which presure the oil is admitted to the burners in a quantity merely sufiicient for maintaining a normal steam pressure.

Should the steam pressure'in the boilers decrease, it acts upon the Masons regulator M so as to move the lever Q, to a low position in which the hydraulic pressure is relieved from the lower surface of the plungers of the Masons regulator, the water findingits way freely out by means of the drain conduit V which is in communication with the atmosphere. This permits the plunger rod T to descend, pulling the piston 68down, thereby allowing the water to flow from the inlet pipe 58 into the pipe 57 which is in communication with the upper end of the cylinder of the governing device. This causes the plunger 95 of said device to descend putting the cables leading to the dampers L or Z into tension and moving said dampers to open position. The downward movement of the plunger 95 continues until the disk 11? strikes theupper side of the stop 111. This CliSl-,=lll8 the disk 116, is

adjustable onthe plunger stem 94 and dehydraulic pressure; therefore, when the by draulic pressure is communicated to it through the pipe 92, it will open, permitting a flow of oil at an increased pressure to the burners, thus raising the fires, and thereby increasing the generation of steam until the steam pressure reaches its normal point, at which time the operation of the apparatus is reversed and the fire again drops back to its normal condition. In the meantime the exhaust water from the lower end of the cylinder 46 of the governing device IV has drained through the pipe 59 and passage 66 of the piston 68 out through the pipe 56 to a sewer or drain.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a main draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, means for creating draft pressure within said conduit, means for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, means responsive to conditions of draft pressure within. said conduit between said draft creating means and controlling means for governing said draft creating means to maintain constant pressure in said conduit, and means responsive to conditions of steam pressure within said boiler for governing said first naniled draft controlling means 2. In a steam generating system compris ing a furnace and boiler, a main draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, means for creating draft pressure within said conduit, means for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, fuel supply means for said furnace, means respons ve to conditions of draft pressure within said conduit be tween said draft creating means and controlling means, for governing said drz ft creating means to maintain constant pressure within said conduit, and means responsive to conditons of steam pressure within said boiler for governing said first named draft controlling means and said fuel supply means.

3. In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a main draft con duit adapted to supply said furnace, means for creating draft pressure within said conduit, means for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, a hydraulic regulator responsive to conditions of draft pressure within said conduit between said draft creating means and controlling means for governing said draft creating means to maintain constant pressure in said conduit, and a second hydraulic regulator responsive to conditions of steam pressure within said boiler for governing said first named draft controlling means.

4. In steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a main draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, means for creating draft pressure within said conduit, means for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, a pressure bell responsive to conditions of draft pressure within said conduit and in communication with said conduit between said draft creating means and said controlling means, a lever moved by the rise and fall of said bell, a plunger responsive to movements of said lever for governing said draft creating means to maintain constant pressure in said conduit and means responsive to conditions of steam pressure Within said boiler for governing said first named draft controlling means.

5. In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a main draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, an air blower for creating draft pressure within said conduit, a branch conduit leading from said main conduit to said furnace, means in said branch conduit for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, means responsive to conditions of draft pressure within said main conduit between said draft creating means and controlling means for governing said blower to maintain constant pressure in said main conduit, and means responsive to conditions of steam pressure within said boiler for governing said draft controlling means.

6. In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, means in said conduit for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, a fuel valve for said furnace, fluid pressure operating means for actuating said fuel valve, a governing device for controlling the movements of said draft control means and for governing said fuel valve, including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said draft control means, one side of said cylinder being in communication with the actuating means for said fuel valve, means for admitting fiuid under substantially constant pressure to the opposite sides of said cylinder to actuate said draft control means and supply said fuel valve actuating means, said piston yielding to said fluid pressure to prevent the transmission of an operative degree of fluid pressure to said fuel valve actuating means until said piston reaches the limit of its range of movement.

7 In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a draft conduit adapted to supply said furnace, means in said conduit for controlling the supply of draft to said furnace, a fuel valve for said furnace, fluid pressure operating means for actuating said fuel valve, a governing device for controlling the movements of said draft control means and for governing said fuel valve, including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said draft control means, one side of said cylinder being in communication with the actuating means for said fuel valve, means for admitting fluid under substantially constant pressure to the opposite sides of said cylinder to actuate said draft control means and supply said fuel valve actuating means, said piston. yielding to said fluid pressure to prevent the transmission of an operative degree of fluid pressure to said fuel valve actuating means until said piston reaches the limit of its range of movement and adjustable means for varying the extent of said range of movement.

8. In a steam generating system comprising a boiler, a furnace, and combustion control mechanisms associated with said furnace, a device for operating said combustion control mechanisms, said device comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder and operatively associated with one of said control mechanisms, a valve for operating said device including a cylinder, a pressure supply conduit leading from a source of constant hydraulic pressure communicating with said valve cylinder at a point intermediate its ends, pair of con duits communicating with said valve cylinder at points respectively above and below said pressure supply conduit and connected one to each end of the cylinder of said de vice, a drain conduitconnectcd to said valve cylinder adjacent the lower end thereof, a piston in said valve cylinder having an annular channel bridging said pressure supply conduit and, alternately, either the upper or piston chamber connects the upper conduit leading to said device to the fluid pressure supply conduit, said piston having a passage therethrough placing the upper conduit leadmg to said device in communication with the drain conduit when'said upper conduit is not bridged by said annular piston chamber, and means responsive to variations of steam pressure in the boiler for actuating said piston. I

9. In a steam generating system comprising a furnace and boiler, a draft control device and a pressure actuated fuel supply valve for said furnace, a governing device comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable within said cylinder, the ends of said cylinder above and below said piston being alternatelycommunicable with a source of constant hydraulic pressure, a conduit leading from one end of said cylinder to the fluid pressure actuated means in said fuel supply valve, guides supported by cylinder, a threaded stem for said piston travelling through said guides, threaded disks adjustably mounted on said stem,- on opposite sides of one of said guides, the latter acting as a stop for said di ks to limit the range of movement of said piston, said stem being connected to said draft control means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

AL 4 XANDER E. CAMERON. 

